LET THERE BE SNOWWWW! - And there was!

Let er' rip baby! I could live like this for another month! And I even drive 45 minutes on country roads to work! I love it! We went to Ephriam for the weekend to check on the house and spend a weekend away from everything and everybody. We pulled into town and there were literally walls of snow. 4 ft. drifts, and where people had a tractor to move the snow it was even higher. It took us two hours in the dark to move the snow around enough to get the truck in the driveway. I about broke my back shoveling, but I didn't even care because the next day we got up, started the 4-wheeler, pumped up the snow tube and went redneck CRAZY in the snow! We pulled the kids all over the little town of Wales (west of Ephriam). Throwing them off when we would speed around the corners just like Craig Hreinson used to when I was little. The deal was that if you got thrown off the tube, you had to trade with someone. Brandon told me to go slow with Maddie. So I did. When I looked back, she had her hands propped behind her head!!! She wasn't even holding on!!! So you all know exactly what her mother did. Revved it up of course and put her in a snow bank! :) After the kids and I got tired of that, we made a snow cave in one of those 4 ft. drifts and then a snowman and finally after 4 hours of play, they were cold and ready to come in for hot chocolate.

Maddie-my Lifesource

I felt like I needed to dedicate a post to my Maddison Makenzie Peterson. She is my life source. How else can I explain the happiness and vividness that she brings to my life. Not to take anything away from Brayden because they both are the driving force in my life, but a little girl is special to her mommy. Last Saturday we spent at my parents house. And Saturday morning, as is common in my parents house, they put on the Beach Boys and turned up the volume on those ugly massive speakers they still have in the kitchen. Maddie was mesmerized by my mom and dad dancing and gettin' jiggy with it. Somehow along the way she managed to ask my dad why he liked to dance so much and his answer was "it's what made me fall in love with grandma. She was such a beautiful dancer." Maddie has been on a "what made you fall in love with mom" kick ever since. She has been asking us (Brandon and I) where we met, why we liked each other, if we have a crush on each other and if we still love each other. Every time we kiss in front of her, she gets this little smile on her face. She is a happy, precious little thing.

Hunting-Guns and Kids

So if you will notice I have posted an opinion poll to the right to get anybodies input that visits my website. My son received a big new gun for Christmas. I would say that it is similar to a .22 in strength of firepower. He is only allowed to use it with close supervision from his dad. I think it is great that he and his dad are spending time together and sharing a hobby, but I think the gun was a little much a little too soon. The Red Ryder BB gun has been a good gun for Brayden for the past two years. Must we really upgrade? Is 9 yrs. old enough to really understand the power that a gun has? That it can take a human life? The picture below was taken the weekend of the 12th when Brandon, Brayden and some friends went to Gunnison. For those of you wondering, no, Brayden did not shoot any geese, he was more like the retriever Brandon has always wanted. ie.... he had to go pick up the dead geese in the field.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Yes indeed Santa came to our home early via my friend who lives in Tooele. We ran an errand, (took back late library books) and low and behold when we got back Santa had made his annual appearance at our house. The kids were so excited. Screaming and hollering "Santa's been here, Santa's been here". It was a great Christmas eve night for all of us. After Maddie tore through all her presents and realized that Santa had not brought her a portable CD player that she asked for she was a little down, but luckily Grandpa Don saved the day (christmas day) by giving her what she was truly hoping for. Complete with pink rhinestones. What more could a little girl ask for?

Brayden got a new gun..... 17 mach 2. I think it's a little big for a 9 year old, but he was sooooo happy. And when he saw his new scooter he said "yes, I got my wheels back!" He has been using his sisters pink barbie scooter because his got ran over when he parked it behind mom's car!

A Festive Night

THANK YOU THANK YOU my girlfriends for a wonderful night out!! What a blast to get together and talk about all the random silly things we use to do. And thank you for refreshing my memory about the stupid things I did! And very apparently still do!! Ugh, when will I ever grow up? We all have issues :) For pictures of our happy evening, please see Vanessa and Shannon's blog, because of course, I didn't bring my camera. Love you Mailee, Shannon, Vanessa, Amy and Jody!!! :) :) :)

NOW STARRING BRAYDEN PETERSON in.......

In Grantsville there is but one event that defines your third grade experience. THE NUTCRACKER!!! Apparently it is a Christmas tradition dating back to.... well I don't know when, because I am a newby, but it's a BIG DEAL! They only allow each family 6 tickets and you can only get into the gym with a ticket. Brayden had the part of a spanish dancer. He did an awesome job and he got to touch a girls hand every Tuesday for the past 2 months (rehearsals). LUCKY!! I have to apologize for my terrible camera skills. I have only a couple of crappy shots for my blog, so here goes.


The Dance
(back row, far right)

Final bows, Brayden is in the middle.

The costuming was really great, the kids all knew their parts and participated without too much complaining. What more could you ask for from 8 year olds? Soon to be 9.... tomorrow!!!

Hilly Billy Thanksgiving

DANG... it's almost Christmas and I haven't updated my blog since Halloween. WEAK!!! So here is a snipit of our hilly billy Thanksgiving in Monticello. It actually was a great time! We got there late Wednesday night and all the kids piled into the heated garage (which really doesn't look like a garage, except for the cement floor) for bedtime.

Thursday morning we woke, fed the 16 grandchildren breakfast and started prepping some of the food for the feast. Dinner was fun with 30 of us joining the festivities. My mom and dad, Grandpa and Grandma Hansen, Cindy, Mary, Laura & Rod. Jim, Nat and Kids, Jen, Mike and kids, Me, Brandon and kids, Shery, Quin and kids!!!! Woooo hooo!!!!

Friday we went to the Days Inn hotel that mom, dad and the grandparents were staying at (in Monticello) and swam in the pool. The kids had a blast and we finally dunked Uncle Jim after much hard work and coordination. All in all a great way to spend three days. Jim and Natalie did an awesome job planning the holiday and accommodating all of us. Thank you again guys for the great memories.